Lutein and Zeaxanthin May Reduce Risk of Cataract

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According to research just published in Molecular Vision, lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of cataract by protecting the eye from oxidative stress; the protective effect was similar to that reported for vitamin E.

The study corroborates findings from research published earlier this year showing that high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin were each associated with an approximately 40% reduction in the risk of cataract.

This research further highlights the critical role played by lutein and zeaxanthin in promoting eye health.

Click here to read more.

New Retinal Prosthesis That Works Like a Solar Panel May Restore Sight to Patients With Macular Degeneration

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A team from the Stanford University School of Medicine led by Dr. Daniel Palanker has published research in the May 2012 issue of Nature Photonics concerning their development of a new retinal prosthesis that uses what are best described as miniature solar panels to turn light signals into nerve impulses.

The system consists of a small photovoltaic chip (similar to a solar panel) that is surgically implanted beneath the retina, and specially designed goggles equipped with a microprocessor and miniature camera. The output of the camera is displayed on a miniature LCD screen, located on the inside surface of the goggles. The screen then beams the images displayed as pulses of infra-red laser light to to photodiodes on the chip implanted in the retina, which will then send those images to the brain.

As Dr. Palanker summed up the technology: “It works like the solar panels on your roof, converting light into electric current. But instead of the current flowing to your refrigerator, it flows into your retina.”

So far the technology has been tested in rats, but the team is looking for a sponsor for human trials.

The Stanford technology differs from other retinal prosthesis technologies such as the Argus™ II Retinal Prosthesis System offered by Second Sight in that those other technologies involve more in the way of hardware such as coils or antennas being implanted in the eye, while the technology used in the light-based Stanford system is primarily located in the goggles.

Click here and here to read more about this new technology.

Treating Glaucoma Using Ultrasound Generated by the EYEOP1 Device

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The EyeOP1 is a new medical device developed by EyeTechCare that uses therapeutic ultrasound to enable non-invasive treatment of refractory glaucoma.  The treatment can be administered on an outpatient basis and is performed under local anaesthaesia.  The patient simply lies down close to the command module and a disposable therapy device is placed on the globe of the eyeball.

An initial pilot study of the device demonstrated efficacy with results presented at ARVO in May 2011 (view detailed results here).

Presently, plans are underway for expanded studies at 20 medical centers around the world to further evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of the EYEOP1 device to treat glaucoma. One recently announced such study will be conducted at the Sam Rothberg Glaucoma Center of the Goldschleger Eye Institute at Sheba Medical Center in Israel (click here to learn more about the study at this location).

The primary objective of these studies is to demonstrate reduction of baseline IOP by more than 20% in participating patients after 12 months.

Study on Using ILARIS® to Treat Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

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The Department of Ophthalmology at Triemli Hospital in Zurich is recruiting recipients for a study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Canakinumab (ILARIS®) to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy secondary to type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Ten subjects will be enrolled to receive 150 mg Canakinumab (ILARIS®) by subcutaneous injection. Beginning on day 0, each subject will receive a subcutaneous injection of study drug every 8 weeks for 16 weeks, a total of 3 injections. All subjects will undergo regular follow-up assessments every 8 weeks through 24 weeks. Fluorescein angiography (FA) will be repeated every 8 weeks. The primary outcome being sought is the regression of retinal neovascularizations by week 24.

Key secondary outcomes sought include regression of diabetic macular edema, and change in best-corrected visual acuity.

Click here to learn more about this study.

Learning Curve in Femtosecond Phaco- Radial Tears in Rhexis

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Ophthalmology (May): There is a definite learning curve in femtosecond laser, and most of it has to do with the docking of the machine on the eye and resultant tilt. This can allow for incomplete rhexis with capsular tags (10.5%) which caused radial tears. Complications dropped precipitously after the first 100 cases. Care must be taken during the learning curve to watch for capsular tags and convert them to a curvilinear rhexis. Also, more difficult cortex removal was encountered with femtosecond.

Dropped Nucleus a Complication of Femtosecond Phaco

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Ophthalmology (May): Initial experience with femtosecond laser phaco resulted in two cases of dropped nucleus from hydrodissection. The surgeon concludes it is due to the very firm adherence of the capsulorhexis to the underlying lens, probably due to heat generation from the laser. To avoid this dreaded complication, one should hydrodissect  very carefully and slowly, after decompressing the anterior chamber by allowing egress of viscoelastic, and lifting the anterior capsule rim off the lens.

Two-Year CATT Study of Results for Avastin vs. Lucentis in Treating Wet AMD

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The NEI and the CATT Study Group have just released the two-year results of the CATT Study, comparing Avastin and Lucentis for the treatment of wet AMD. Basically, after two years, there is no significant difference either between the two drugs or the dosing methods studied – once monthly or as needed.

There were slightly more adverse events in those patients using Avastin than Lucentis, but the study’s authors concluded that the differences were not specifically associated with the use of Avastin, but more likely due to the age of the subjects in the study – a median age of 80 years.

For more details, please see the complete writeup at the following link.

 

Eyebrow Fat Not Getting “Respect”

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Archives: researchers, using sophisticated 3D CT scanning, have demonstrated that eyebrow fat increases in volume in thyroid eye disease, just like the fat and soft tissue in the orbit. They suggest that eyebrow fat be examined more carefully and that standards and normals be established, so that eyebrow fat can be better addressed when surgical correction of thyroid eye disease is considered. Typically it is ignored as surgeons focus on the retrobulbar and orbital tissue that causes disfiguring exophthalmos (bulging out) of the eyeballs.

Glaucoma a Real Problem in Congenital Cataract

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Archives: Sometimes, we can lower our guard once we surgically remove congenital cataract, but this article reminds us that glaucoma is very common in congenital cataract, and we need to be vigilant lest the glaucoma ruins our vision-restoring surgery. Researchers followed 114 infants with congenital glaucoma, and 9% developed glaucoma in the first year, whether they got an IOL or not. They suspect that 5 year data will show even more glaucoma. Nothing new here, really- just a wake-up call to remind us- doctor and parents- to keep a close eye on these kids

Botox For Filamentary Keratitis

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April Archives: Yet another use for the miracle drug! Filamentary keratitis is a very annoying disease where plugs of mucuc get stuck on the cornea and cause light sensitivity, pain and foreign body sensation. It is often found in ptosis, dry eye, SLK and prolonged patching. It can be hard to treat. Researchers had the idea that it is mostly due to a mechanical problem of the lid rubbing against the eye, so they figured that by injecting a little Botox in the eyelid muscle and thus weaken it, they can improve the situation. Indeed, 88% of 33 eyes improved. So if the usual treatment- debridement, artificial tear/ointment and Mucomyst drops don’t work, it’s worth a try. And you can use the rest of the bottle on your crows feet.